I hurried past my uncles, their voices fading behind me as I dashed up the staircase, my heart racing in my chest. The wooden steps creaked under my swift ascent, echoing the urgency in my mind. Bursting down the narrow hallway, I flung open the front door and stumbled out onto the patio. The cool evening air hit my face, but it was no relief; I was gasping for breath, each inhale a struggle as I sank into a wave of overwhelming panic.
Without warning, I felt Jack’s strong hands gently grip my shoulders. He spun me around, pulling me into a comforting embrace that enveloped me like a cozy blanket. His warmth surrounded me, and I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, which seemed to echo in time with my own racing pulse. His presence offered a sense of security as he whispered soo
